JP6475459B2 - O-ring mounting apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an O-ring attachment device for attaching an O-ring to an O-ring groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of a workpiece, an articulated robot provided with the device, and an O-ring attachment method using the device.

  The operation of attaching the O-ring to the O-ring groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of an annular workpiece or the like is generally performed manually by an operator.

  When manually attaching the O-ring to the O-ring groove, the worker first pushes a part of the O-ring into the O-ring groove with a fingertip, and then gradually installs the O-ring along the circumferential direction. It is necessary to push the groove into the groove and finally adjust the entire circumferential direction.

  As described above, it is very time-consuming to install the O-ring by the worker.

  On the other hand, an apparatus for automatically attaching an O-ring to an O-ring groove has been proposed (Patent Document 1, etc.).

JP 2010-76037 A

  However, the conventionally proposed O-ring mounting device has a problem that its applicable range is extremely limited and lacks versatility. For example, since the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is a large-scale apparatus such as a motor or a cylinder installed under the workpiece, it is difficult to apply the apparatus unless the O-ring has a relatively large size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and is not limited by the dimensions of the O-ring, and can be applied in a wide range. It is an object of the present invention to provide an articulated robot and an O-ring mounting method using the same device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an O-ring mounting device for mounting an O-ring in an O-ring groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of a work, and the O-ring is disposed inside the O-ring. O-ring support means that can be supported at at least three support points, and O-ring pushing means for pushing the O-ring between two of the at least three support points from the outside; And a pushing state releasing means for releasing the pushing state of the O-ring by the ring pushing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the at least three support points are separated from an inner peripheral portion of the O-ring inside the O-ring in a natural state where no external force is applied. The inner peripheral portion of the O-ring is brought into contact with the at least three support points by pushing the O-ring by the O-ring pushing means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the O-ring pushing means is brought into contact with an outer peripheral portion of the O-ring so that the O-ring is interposed between the support points from the outside. A pressing member that pushes in, and the pressing state releasing means moves the pressing member in a state where the O-ring is pressed in a direction crossing the pressing direction to release the pressing state of the O-ring. It is characterized by.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the O-ring support means increases the distance between the two support points in the direction of the work inner peripheral surface. It has a function of moving the support point.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the O-ring pushing means has a pushing direction along a radial direction of the O-ring, and the at least three support points are The O-ring is disposed on a target with respect to a virtual plane including a central axis of the O-ring and a virtual line in the pushing direction.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the two support points are arranged on the object with respect to the virtual plane, and the at least three support points are the two support points and the reference. One support point located at a position corresponding to the surface.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, each support point is disposed on both sides of the reference plane adjacent to the one support point.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the support point is formed by a support surface including the support point.

  In a ninth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the at least three support points of the O-ring support means is included in a tapered surface that guides the O-ring pushed by the O-ring push means. And the overhang | projection part which positions the said O-ring is formed adjacent to the said taper surface, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to ninth aspects, the O-ring in a state of being pushed by the O-ring pushing means is inserted inside the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece. An O-ring positioning means for positioning the ring at a position corresponding to the O-ring groove is further provided.

  An eleventh aspect of the present invention is an articulated robot provided with the O-ring attachment device according to the tenth aspect, wherein the O-ring positioning means has an arm of the articulated robot. To do.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an O-ring attachment for attaching the O-ring to the O-ring groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece using the O-ring attachment device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects. An insertion step of inserting the O-ring support means inside the O-ring; a push-in step of pushing the O-ring from the outside between the two support points by the O-ring push means; A positioning step of inserting the O-ring pushed in by the O-ring pushing means into the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece and positioning the O-ring at a position corresponding to the groove for the O-ring; and releasing the pushed-in state The O-ring pushing means by the O-ring pushing means is released by means, and the O-ring is released into the O-ring groove due to its elasticity. Characterized in that and a input step.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an O-ring attachment method for attaching the O-ring to the O-ring groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece using the O-ring attachment device according to the fourth aspect, An insertion step of inserting an O-ring support means inside the O-ring, a push-in step of pushing the O-ring from the outside between the two support points by the O-ring push means, and a push-in by the O-ring push means A positioning step of inserting the O-ring in the bent state inside the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece to position the O-ring at a position corresponding to the groove for the O-ring, and the two support points at the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece A pre-insertion step of inserting a part of the O-ring into the O-ring groove by moving in the direction of the surface, and the O-ring push-in means by the push-in state release means The O to release the pushing state of the ring, characterized in that and a release fitting step of fitting the O-ring groove by the elasticity of the O-ring that.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, after the release fitting step, the two supporting points are moved along the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece, and the O-ring is moved to the bottom of the O-ring groove. It is characterized by being pressed toward.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the positioning step is performed by an operation of an arm of an articulated robot equipped with the O-ring support means. And

  According to the present invention, there are provided an O-ring mounting device that can be applied in a wide range without being restricted by the dimensions of the O-ring, an articulated robot equipped with the device, and an O-ring mounting method using the device. Can be provided.

The perspective view which showed the articulated robot provided with the O-ring attachment apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which showed the O-ring attachment apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. The top view which showed the front end side plate of the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the O-ring handling part in the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the sectional view on the AA line of (b). It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and the figure which showed the state from which a rotation position changes in order of (a), (b), (c). It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the O-ring attachment operation | movement by the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is the fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is the figure which showed the modification of the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is a fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is a fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is the figure which showed the other modification of the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is a fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is a fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. It is the figure which showed the other modification of the O-ring attachment apparatus shown in FIG. 2, (a) is a fragmentary sectional view seen from the top, (b) is a fragmentary sectional view seen from the side. The figure which showed the O-ring attachment apparatus by other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an articulated robot including an O-ring mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The O-ring attachment device according to this embodiment is for attaching an O-ring to an O-ring groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of an annular workpiece.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the O-ring attachment device 1 according to the present embodiment is attached to the wrist shaft 4 at the tip of the arm 3 of the articulated robot 2. By driving the robot arm 3, the O-ring mounting device 1 can be moved to a desired position. The wrist shaft 4 of the robot arm 3 can rotate around the rotation axis L, and the O-ring attachment device 1 can be rotated around the rotation axis L together with the wrist shaft 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the O-ring mounting device 1 includes an upper plate 5 and a lower plate 6 that are spaced apart from each other. The lower surface periphery of the upper plate 5 and the upper surface periphery of the lower plate 6 are connected via a plate-like connecting member 7. The upper plate 5, the lower plate 6, and the connecting member 7 form a frame body 8 in which an accommodation space is formed. A mounting plate 9 is fixedly provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 5, and the upper surface of the mounting plate 9 is attached to the wrist shaft 4 of the robot arm 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front plate 11 is fixedly provided on the lower surface of the lower plate 6 via four support members 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the front end plate 11 is formed with a notch 12 extending in the front-rear direction X through the center C of the front end plate 11 from the center of the front edge portion to the rear. ing. On both the left and right sides of the notch 12, elliptical through holes 13 that are long in the left-right direction Y are formed. The center C of the distal end side plate 11 coincides with the rotation axis L of the wrist shaft 4 of the robot arm 3.

  An O-ring pressing member 14 extending in the vertical direction is inserted through the cutout portion 12 of the distal side plate 11. Each rod-shaped movable support member 15 extending in the vertical direction is inserted into each through hole 13 of the distal end side plate 11. The movable support member 15 is a member for supporting an O-ring attached to the workpiece. The O-ring pressing member 14 can move back and forth in the notch 12 along the front-rear direction X. The movable support member 15 can move left and right in the through hole 13 along the left-right direction Y.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially cylindrical columnar member 16 is fixedly provided on the lower surface of the distal end side plate 11. The center C of the front end plate 11 and the center of the cylindrical member 16 are coincident. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical member 16 is formed with a notch portion 17 extending in the front-rear direction corresponding to the notch portion 12 of the distal end side plate 11. Further, the cylindrical member 16 is formed with notches 18 extending in the left-right direction corresponding to the through holes 13 of the tip side plate 11.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the O-ring pressing member 14 can be inserted into the notch 17 in the front-rear direction X of the cylindrical member 16. Each movable support member 15 is inserted into each notch 18 in the left-right direction of the columnar member 16. As shown in FIG. 4A, the O-ring pressing member 14 is completely pulled out from the notch 17 in the front-rear direction X of the cylindrical member 16 at the outermost position. A part of the movable support member 15 protrudes from the left and right cutout portion 18 of the cylindrical member 16 at the outermost position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a circular plate 20 is fixedly provided on the lower surface of the cylindrical member 16 via three rod-like fixed support members 19. The center of the circular plate 20 coincides with the center C of the cylindrical member 1. The circular plate 20 has a diameter that can be inserted inside the inner peripheral surface of the work to which the O-ring is attached.

  The fixed support member 19 is a member for supporting an O-ring attached to the workpiece. As shown in FIG. 4A, among the three fixed support members 19, the central fixed support member 19 is disposed on a virtual line in the front-rear direction X that passes through the center C of the columnar member 16. The other two fixed support members 19 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a virtual plane including the virtual line and perpendicular to the horizontal direction Y. The central fixed support member 19 is located radially outward with respect to the imaginary line in the left-right direction Y passing through the pair of left and right fixed support members 19.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the O-ring pressing member 14 is fixed to the elevating plate 22 via the attachment piece 21. The elevating plate 22 is fixedly provided at the tip of the piston 24 of the elevating cylinder 23. The O-ring pressing member 14 can be moved up and down together with the lifting plate 22 by driving the lifting cylinder 23 to move the piston 24 forward and backward.

  The elevating cylinder 23 is fixed to the slide member 26 via an attachment piece 25. The slide member 26 can be moved in the front-rear direction X by a slide cylinder 27. By driving the slide cylinder 27 and sliding the slide member 26, the O-ring pressing member 14 can be moved back and forth together with the lift cylinder 23.

  The upper end of each movable support member 15 is fixed to each opening / closing member 29 via each attachment piece 28. Each opening / closing member 29 is fixed to each output shaft 31 of the opening / closing cylinder 30. The opening / closing cylinder 30 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower plate 6. The distance between the pair of left and right movable support members 15 can be increased or decreased by driving the opening / closing cylinder 30 to increase or decrease the distance between the pair of left and right opening / closing members 29.

  The lifting cylinder 23, the sliding cylinder 27, and the opening / closing cylinder 30 can be driven and controlled by the controller of the articulated robot 2. The elevating cylinder 23, the sliding cylinder 27, and the opening / closing cylinder 30 can be constituted by air cylinders, for example, but all or a part of them can be replaced by servo motors.

  The two movable support members 15 and the three fixed support members 19 described above constitute an O-ring support means that can support the O-ring at least three (in this example, five) support points from the inside thereof. To do.

  The five support points formed by the two movable support members 15 and the three fixed support members 19 are virtual including the central axis of the O-ring substantially coincident with the center C of the cylindrical member 16 and the virtual line in the pushing direction. They are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane. Two support points formed by the two movable support members 15 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the virtual plane. The five support points in this example can be arranged inside the O-ring in a natural state to which no external force is applied and spaced from the inner peripheral portion of the O-ring.

  The O-ring pressing member 14 and the sliding cylinder 27 described above constitute O-ring pressing means for pressing the O-ring from the outside between two support points of at least three support points of the O-ring support means. .

  The lifting cylinder 23 described above constitutes a pushing state releasing means for releasing the pushing state of the O ring by the O ring pushing means.

  The above-described robot arm 3 has an O-ring positioning for inserting an O-ring pushed in by the O-ring pushing means into the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece and positioning the O-ring at a position corresponding to the O-ring groove. Configure the means.

  Next, referring to the drawings, a method for attaching an O-ring to an O-ring groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of an annular workpiece using the articulated robot 2 provided with the O-ring attaching device 1 according to the present embodiment. To explain.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which an O-ring R is placed concentrically with the O-ring mounting table T on the upper surface of the annular O-ring mounting table T. In FIG. 5, the circular plate 20 is omitted (the same applies to FIGS. 6 to 12 and FIGS. 14 to 16).

  By operating the robot arm 3, as shown in FIG. 5, the O-ring support means (movable support member 15 and fixed support member 19) and the O-ring push means (O-ring press member 14) of the O-ring mounting device 1 Arranged above the O-ring R on the ring mounting table T. More specifically, the two movable support members 15 and the three support members 19 are positioned above the inner region of the O-ring R, and the O-ring pressing member 14 is an O-ring in the outer region of the O-ring R. The robot arm 3 is operated so as to be positioned above the mounting table T. At this time, the two movable support members 15 are in a state where the distance between them is shortened (approached state).

  From the state shown in FIG. 5, the robot arm 3 is driven to lower the O-ring mounting device 1, and the tip of the O-ring pressing member 14 contacts the surface of the O-ring mounting table T as shown in FIG. 6. The descent operation is stopped immediately before the insertion (insertion process). Thereby, the front-end | tip part of O-ring press member 14 is arrange | positioned in the outer peripheral part vicinity of O-ring R, and each front-end | tip part of each movable support member 15 and each fixed support member 19 is arrange | positioned inside O-ring R. .

  From the state shown in FIG. 6, the sliding cylinder 27 is driven to move the O-ring pressing member 14 toward the center of the O-ring R (pressing process). Thereby, the O-ring pressing member 14 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral portion of the O-ring R, and a part of the O-ring R is pushed between the two movable support members 15 as shown in FIG.

  Here, since the O-ring pressing portion 14 material is configured to push the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring R from the outside, an operation such as clamping the O-ring R to push the O-ring R is unnecessary. For this reason, even when grease or the like is applied to the surface of the O-ring R to make it slippery, the pushing operation of the O-ring R can be performed without any trouble.

  By pushing a part of the O-ring R between the two movable support members 15 by the O-ring pressing member 14, the inner peripheral portion of the O-ring R is connected to each movable support member 15 and each fixed support as shown in FIG. It abuts on the member 19. The O-ring R in the pushed-in state is brought into contact with and held by the O-ring pressing member 14, the movable support members 15, and the fixed support members 19.

  From the state shown in FIG. 7, the robot arm 3 is driven to lift the O-ring mounting device 1 upward, and the O-ring R is pulled up from the O-ring mounting table T as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the robot arm 3 is driven to transfer the O-ring mounting device 1 to the workpiece W side, and the upper O-ring R of the workpiece W is transferred as shown in FIG.

  An O-ring groove Wb is formed on the inner peripheral surface Wa of the workpiece W. The outer diameter of the O-ring R is set to be larger than the diameter of the work inner peripheral surface Wa.

  As can be seen from FIG. 9, the O-ring R in the pushed-in state has a shape that generally fits within the inner region of the inner peripheral surface Wa of the workpiece W. Note that the entire O-ring R does not have to be completely contained in the inner region of the inner peripheral surface Wa of the workpiece W, and a part of the O-ring R may protrude slightly.

  In the present embodiment, since the O-ring R in the portion opposite to the portion supported by the movable support member 15 is widely supported using the three fixed support members 19, the O-ring R in the pushed-in state is used. Can be optimized so as to fit within the inner region of the inner circumferential surface Wa of the workpiece W.

  From the state shown in FIG. 9, the robot arm 3 is driven to lower the O-ring mounting device 1, and the O-ring R in the pushed-in state is inserted inside the inner peripheral surface Wa of the workpiece W, as shown in FIG. 10. As described above, the O-ring R is positioned at a position corresponding to the O-ring groove Wb (positioning step).

  From the state shown in FIG. 10, the opening / closing cylinder 30 is driven, and as shown in FIG. 11, the distance between the two movable holding members 15 in the approaching state is widened to be in the separated state. As a result, each movable holding member 15 comes close to the work inner peripheral surface Wa, and the portion of the O-ring R supported by the movable holding member 15 is fitted into the O-ring groove Wb (preliminary). Insertion process).

  From the state shown in FIG. 11, the lifting cylinder 23 is driven to pull up the O-ring pressing member 14 to release the engagement state of the O-ring pressing member 14 with respect to the O-ring R. Thereby, the pushing state of the O-ring R is released. The O-ring R which has been released from the pushing state tries to return to its natural shape when no external force is applied, due to its own elasticity. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the O-ring R is generally fitted into the O-ring groove Wb (release fitting process).

  In this embodiment, the O-ring pressing member 14 is pulled up in a direction orthogonal to the pressing direction, but the moving direction of the O-ring pressing member 14 in the release fitting process is not limited to this direction, and the pressing is performed. It suffices if the O-ring pressing member 14 is moved in a direction crossing the direction to release the pressing state of the O-ring R.

  From the state shown in FIG. 12, the wrist shaft 4 of the robot arm 3 is rotationally driven to rotate the O-ring attachment device 1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the two movable support members 15 move along the work inner peripheral surface Wa, and the O-ring R is pressed toward the bottom of the O-ring groove Wb. As a result, the O-ring R is sufficiently fitted into the O-ring groove Wb over the entire circumference.

  When the operation of inserting the O-ring R into the O-ring groove Wb is completed, the opening / closing cylinder 30 is driven to switch the two movable support members 15 from the separated state to the close state as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the robot arm 3 is driven to raise the O-ring mounting device 1, and the movable holding member 15 and the fixed holding member 19 are retracted from the workpiece W as shown in FIG. 15. Thereby, the O-ring attachment work to the workpiece W is completed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since a large-scale device as in the prior art is not required, there is an advantage that the size of the O-ring R that can be handled is hardly restricted.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the specification of the O-ring handling device 1 is changed in accordance with the size of the O-ring R, the arrangement of the movable holding member 15 and the fixed support member 19 and the front and rear of the movable holding member 15 are arranged. It is only necessary to change the moving stroke in the direction and replace the tip side plate 11 as necessary, and the design can be easily changed in accordance with the size of the O-ring R.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the outer peripheral portion of the O-ring R is pushed from the outside by the O-ring pressing member 14, it is not necessary to hold the O-ring R in order to achieve the pushing state of the O-ring R. . For this reason, even when grease or the like is applied to the surface of the O-ring R to make it slippery, the pushing operation of the O-ring R can be performed without any trouble.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, prior to the release fitting process in which the O-ring R is released and the O-ring R is generally fitted into the O-ring groove Wb by its elasticity, each movable holding member 15 is moved to the workpiece. A pre-insertion step of inserting a part of the O-ring R into the O-ring groove Wb close to the inner peripheral surface Wa can be performed, so that the O-ring R can be securely inserted into the O-ring groove Wb. Can be inserted.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the O-ring that is generally fitted in the O-ring groove by the release fitting process can be pushed into the O-ring groove by each movable holding member. The O-ring can be securely inserted into the.

  Note that the O-ring support means in the present invention is not limited to the case where the O-ring support means is constituted by the two movable support members 15 and the three fixed support members 19 as in the above-described embodiment, and one or two fixed support members 19 are provided. Four or more books can be provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the O-ring support means can be formed by a fixed support member 19A having an arcuate cross section. In this example, a part of the O-ring R is supported in an arc shape by the fixed support member 19A.

In the above-described embodiment, the O-ring R is pushed into the O-ring groove Wb by each movable holding member 15 after the release fitting step. However, a portion other than the movable holding member 15 is pressed against the O-ring R. The O-ring may be pushed into the O-ring groove Wb. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 17, a tapered surface 32 and an overhang portion 33 may be provided at the tip of the fixed support member 19 shown in FIG. it can. In this example, when the O-ring R is pushed by the O-ring pressing member 14, the O-ring R is guided to the protruding portion 33 side by the tapered surface 32 of the fixed support member 19 and is positioned by the protruding portion 33. Therefore, the O-ring R held by the O-ring mounting device 1 can be more reliably aligned with the O-ring groove Wb of the workpiece W.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a tapered surface 32A and an overhang portion 33A can be provided at the tip of the fixed support member 19A shown in FIG. Also in this example, when the O-ring R is pushed by the O-ring pressing member 14, the O-ring R is guided to the protruding portion 33A side by the tapered surface 32A of the fixed support member 19A and is positioned by the protruding portion 33A. Therefore, the O-ring R held by the O-ring mounting device 1 can be more reliably aligned with the O-ring groove Wb of the workpiece W.

  As an O-ring mounting device according to another embodiment of the present invention, as an O-ring positioning means, instead of the arm 3 of the articulated robot 2, a fixed O-ring mounting device 1 is used as shown in FIG. On the other hand, a workpiece driving means 31 for moving the workpiece W up and down may be provided, and the workpiece W may be moved upward by the workpiece driving means 31.

  In short, any O-ring positioning means may be used as long as the O-ring mounting device 1 and the workpiece W are relatively moved so that the O-ring holding means can be inserted and positioned inside the workpiece inner peripheral surface Wa.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 O-ring mounting apparatus 2 Articulated robot 3 Robot arm 4 Wrist axis 5 Upper plate 6 Lower plate 7 Upper and lower plate connecting member 8 Frame body 9 Mounting plate 10 Supporting member 11 Front end plate 12 Notch portion of front end plate 13 End Side plate through hole 14 O-ring pressing member 15 Movable support member 16 Column member 17 Notch portion in the front-rear direction of the column member 18 Notch portion in the left-right direction of the column member 19, 19 A Fixed support member 20 Circular plates 21, 25, 28 Piece 22 Lift plate 23 Lift cylinder 24 Lift cylinder piston 26 Slide member 27 Slide cylinder 29 Open / close member 30 Open / close cylinder 31 Work drive means 32, 32A Tapered surface 33 of fixed support member 33, 33A Overhang portion of fixed support member C Tip side Over preparative center L inner peripheral surface Wb O-ring groove of the rotational axis R O-ring T O-ring mounting table W workpiece Wa work of the wrist axis of the robot arm (cylinder member)

Claims (14)

An O-ring attachment device for attaching an O-ring to an O-ring groove formed on an inner peripheral surface of a workpiece,
O-ring support means capable of supporting the O-ring from the inside at at least three support points;
O-ring pushing means for pushing the O-ring from the outside between two of the at least three support points;
A pushing state releasing means for releasing the pushing state of the O-ring by the O-ring pushing means ,
The O-ring pushing means has a pressing member that is brought into contact with the outer peripheral portion of the O-ring and pushes the O-ring from the outside between the support points.
The O-ring mounting device , wherein the pushing state releasing means moves the pushing member in a state where the O-ring is pushed in a direction intersecting the pushing direction to release the pushing state of the O-ring. The at least three support points can be arranged inside the O-ring in a natural state where no external force is applied and spaced from the inner peripheral portion of the O-ring,
The O-ring attachment device according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral portion of the O-ring is brought into contact with the at least three support points by pushing the O-ring by the O-ring pushing means. The O-ring attachment device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the O-ring support means has a function of moving the two support points in the direction of the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece by widening the interval between the two support points. . The O-ring pushing means has a pushing direction along a radial direction of the O-ring,
The O-ring attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the at least three support points are arranged on an object with respect to a virtual plane including a central axis of the O-ring and a virtual line in the pushing direction. apparatus. The two support points are arranged on the object with respect to the virtual plane;
The O-ring attachment device according to claim 4 , wherein the at least three support points include the two support points and one support point at a position corresponding to the virtual plane . The O-ring attachment device according to claim 5 , wherein each support point is disposed on both sides of the virtual plane adjacent to the one support point. The O-ring mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the support point is formed by a support surface including the support point. At least one of the at least three support points of the O-ring support means is included in a tapered surface that guides the O-ring pushed by the O-ring push means;
The O-ring attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein an overhang portion that positions the O-ring is formed adjacent to the tapered surface. O-ring positioning means for positioning the O-ring at a position corresponding to the O-ring groove by inserting the O-ring in a state of being pushed by the O-ring pushing means inside the work inner peripheral surface. The O-ring attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising: An articulated robot comprising the O-ring mounting device according to claim 9 ,
The O-ring positioning means is an articulated robot having an arm of the articulated robot. An O-ring attachment method for attaching the O-ring to the O-ring groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece using the O-ring attachment device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
An insertion step of inserting the O-ring support means inside the O-ring;
A pushing process of pushing the O-ring from the outside between the two support points by the O-ring pushing means;
A positioning step of inserting the O-ring pushed in by the O-ring pushing means into the work inner peripheral surface and positioning the O-ring at a position corresponding to the O-ring groove;
An O-ring mounting method comprising: a release fitting step of releasing the pushing state of the O-ring by the O-ring pushing means by the pushing-state releasing means and fitting the O-ring into the O-ring groove by its elasticity. . An O-ring mounting method for mounting the O-ring to the O-ring groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece using the O-ring mounting device according to claim 3 ,
An insertion step of inserting the O-ring support means inside the O-ring;
A pushing process of pushing the O-ring from the outside between the two support points by the O-ring pushing means;
A positioning step of inserting the O-ring pushed in by the O-ring pushing means into the work inner peripheral surface and positioning the O-ring at a position corresponding to the O-ring groove;
A preliminary insertion step of moving the two support points in the direction of the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece and inserting a part of the O-ring into the O-ring groove;
An O-ring mounting method comprising: a release fitting step of releasing the pushing state of the O-ring by the O-ring pushing means by the pushing-state releasing means and fitting the O-ring into the O-ring groove by its elasticity. . The O-ring mounting method according to claim 12 , wherein after the release fitting step, the two support points are moved along the inner peripheral surface of the workpiece, and the O-ring is pressed toward the bottom of the O-ring groove. The O-ring attachment method according to any one of claims 11 to 13 , wherein the positioning step is performed by an operation of an arm of an articulated robot to which the O-ring support means is attached.

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